All Questions
Tagged with privacy discussion
109 questions
25
votes
0
answers
327
views
How does this processing meet the company's legitimate interests?
To quote Bella_Blue's 2024-06-17 answer:
The objection to legitimate interests selection does not apply to “Necessary cookies only” due to the ‘strictly necessary’ exemption. When the “Necessary ...
- 24.6k
12
votes
1
answer
240
views
Why do mods have unrestricted access to users' followed posts but not saved posts and other private data?
I recently learned that moderators have unrestricted access to users’ followed posts simply by viewing their profiles. It's worrying and seems odd, especially considering that saved posts and voting ...
- 2,372
36
votes
3
answers
15k
views
We've made changes to our Terms of Service & Privacy Policy - July 2024
We’ve just made two adjustments to our Terms of Service & Privacy Policy:
For the Terms of Service, we moved Copyright and DMCA information to a dedicated page.
For the Privacy Policy, we updated ...
- 23.1k
9
votes
1
answer
198
views
Are the logs that record moderators' access to users' personally identifiable information (PII) monitored and/or independently reviewed?
This 11+ year old answer states that per-site moderator access to the following information about individual users is logged:
real name
email
IP address
Notwithstanding the need to keep certain ...
- 300
-75
votes
5
answers
18k
views
Upcoming privacy updates: removal of the Activity data section and Google conversion pixel deprecation
Activity Data section within the Users Preference page
Stack Overflow and Stack Exchange sites currently have an “Activity data” section within the Users Preference page. It looks like this:
What’s ...
- 1,138
17
votes
1
answer
786
views
Update to cookie consent modal for EEA/UK users
Our sites feature a cookie consent banner to ask users for permission to store cookies on their devices. It currently looks like this:
In order for us to continue to serve personalized ads in the EEA ...
- 4,786
-39
votes
3
answers
434
views
Are there some ways to prevent abuse from moderators? [duplicate]
I don't know why, but I got my account suspended for 1 month for allegedly voting myself, but I don't remember doing that in the last 1.5 years roughly speaking. The only reason I voted for myself ...
user467486
438
votes
12
answers
35k
views
We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup
We’ve added a “Necessary cookies only” option to our cookie consent banner across stackoverflow.com, all Stack Exchange sites, stackoverflow.co, stackoverflow.blog, and all other Stack Overflow sites. ...
- 23.1k
3
votes
1
answer
151
views
Does Stack Exchange collect immutable data?
I want to use Stack Exchange but I am unsure what data is collected. The data I am most worried about is data that cannot change, like my race, device id's, or legal identity.
Does SE collect data ...
- 55
7
votes
1
answer
152
views
Can Google and Cloudflare find my SE password?
We are using Firefox with the NoScript extension on GNU/Linux, mainly for security reasons.
When we go to the login page of a Stack Exchange site, say https://mathoverflow.net, the NoScript extension ...
- 233
99
votes
6
answers
3k
views
John Oliver calling out Stack Exchange cookie dialog
In the recent Data Brokers episode of Last Week Tonight, John Oliver showed this picture: (jump to relevant part around 18:57)
which is of the Stack Exchange cookie screen. He said this:
Privacy ...
- 1
11
votes
2
answers
418
views
What's with the SE pulse survey and is the community OK with SE gathering personal data?
So first of all a "pulse survey" is basically a survey to factor user sentiment about something. This is usually a product or something that a company sells. How did we do then? How ...
- 282
90
votes
5
answers
11k
views
We’ve made changes to our Terms of Service & Privacy Policy - January 2022
We’ve just made two adjustments to our Terms of Service & Privacy Policy. They were made to return a section that was accidentally removed about the DMCA Designated Agent - there’s little to no ...
- 23.1k
149
votes
18
answers
27k
views
Updates to Privacy Policy (September 2021)
As you know, periodically we update our privacy policy. Today is one of those days: we've made a few changes to the privacy policy. The policy covers how we collect and use data on the entire network, ...
- 21.3k
63
votes
5
answers
1k
views
Why I go by Rosie (discussion about people using pseudonyms for privacy reasons)
It’s been almost seven months since I joined the Community Team at Stack Overflow. I’ve been having a wonderful time learning the ropes, working with incredible colleagues across the company, and ...
- 14.3k
59
votes
8
answers
2k
views
SE is a dating site (revisit the last seen field)
We have amongst others:
Please make the "last seen" entry optional (which is not a duplicate of)
"Last seen" time appears on Google and SE profile pages and should be removed
...
- 900
4
votes
1
answer
120
views
Do I have to use a browser plugin to stop being accosted on SE sites with the “Accept all cookies” pop-ups over and over and over? Bug? Options? [duplicate]
I keep seeing these on SE sites:
Your privacy By clicking “Accept all cookies”, you agree Stack
Exchange can store cookies on your device and disclose information in
accordance with our Cookie Policy....
-9
votes
3
answers
468
views
Is it safe to keep the reasons for user suspensions confidential?
I've become concerned for one particular user who's extensive content I really value on SE.
Some time ago this user began to complain of "arbitrary" and "unfair" moderator ...
- 1,537
91
votes
2
answers
2k
views
User data in light of Stack Overflow's / Stack Exchange, Inc.'s acquisition
I would like to know how the acquisition impacts our user data, and specifically private user data.
I am aware that a large part of our contributions could be scraped from the outside (or even, ...
- 2,103
2
votes
2
answers
347
views
"This post is hidden" but it's not
Why does Stack Exchange leave posts around claiming they are "hidden", when in reality they are totally visible, but just have a pink background?
Example:
Obviously the author of this post ...
- 346
20
votes
2
answers
487
views
Is it unusual for a moderator to ask for credentials or other user specifics related to the topic of an SE site?
Related to the A.I. SE meta question What is the policy on one-boxing AI-related links in this site's general chatroom? and a now apparently accidentally deleted comment (immediately below this ...
- 6,436
66
votes
3
answers
2k
views
How long should SE store IP addresses of users?
Right now as far as I know, SE stores the IP addresses used to access any SE site forever. Every moderator or employee with moderator powers can see a list of every IP address a user ever accessed the ...
- 189k
20
votes
2
answers
404
views
"RSVP for our webinar with Stack Overflow" How do I make it stop?
I received an email from a recruiter today entitled "RSVP for our webinar with Stack Overflow",
Stack Overflow+Hays
Hays is hosting a webinar with Stack Overflow and I'd like to personally ...
- 718
32
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Privacy Policy Updates (Feb 2020)
We want to share with you that we have updated our Privacy Policy to keep up with the ever evolving data privacy laws and regulations concerning our global community of users and our sites. We also ...
- 37.6k
45
votes
1
answer
839
views
Is "The Loop" covered by SO's Privacy and GDPR policies?
SO's "GDPR Policy" states in part
we describe how we collect and use your data, and how we use technologies like cookies to understand how we can better help developers.
However, The Loop's first ...
- 591
45
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Social media disclaimer policy for SE Staff
The most recent SE incident (as well as several others earlier) was largely inflated by the interaction of SE/SE Staff with the press and some social media interactions (tweets/re-tweets, in ...
- 10.2k
132
votes
6
answers
2k
views
Does Stack Exchange have a responsibility to protect the rights of their volunteers?
The question is focused on the company's responsibility for taking action without just cause against an appointed moderator on Meta Stack Exchange (herein called SE).
There is a moderator contract ...
- 25.1k
75
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Did Upper Management ignore the growing tension in the TL that resulted in Monica's being axed?
I am not asking for any statements or details of the situation in TL to be revealed.
I am asking just whether Upper Management ignored the situation until the situation exploded with Monica's being ...
user540056
35
votes
1
answer
590
views
Why can't SE use a non-Google captcha that invades my privacy less?
One reason that I do not like using SE is third-party elements that track me and invade my privacy: specifically, Google captcha, which I am forced to use even when logged in. I use various blockers ...
- 407
-22
votes
2
answers
479
views
Prefer only 'they' for personal pronouns due to privacy and security
This is specifically regarding updates to the new CoC (Official FAQ on gender pronouns and Code of Conduct changes) addressing personal pronouns.
The point, up front
With Internet hackers, bots, and ...
- 1,475
46
votes
1
answer
439
views
Are you sure that The Overflow newsletter is GDPR compliant?
I (European citizen) just received "The Overflow" newsletter, which I was opted into without my active consent. The GDPR is very clear that users should be told in advance what their personal ...
- 371
194
votes
1
answer
3k
views
A general call for increased transparency from Stack Exchange, Incꓸ
As everyone who has so much as glanced at Meta.SE or any of a number of site metas over the last few days knows by this point, there has been a lot of controversy over the demodding (which many have ...
- 2,349
22
votes
0
answers
815
views
Use a privacy-friendly reCaptcha alternative
I'm very concerned with Google tracking my online activity. According to this article, Google's reCaptcha v3 poses significant privacy concerns, including:
sending "hardware and software information, ...
- 347
32
votes
4
answers
873
views
Technical reasons to use googleapis.com on SE websites
10 years ago, Employer blocks jQuery from Google, DOH! question was posted and Jeff Atwood (SE Founder) answered the following:
We looked at this, but unfortunately the fallback from
failure-to-load-...
- 306
4
votes
2
answers
101
views
Is there a need to protect users if they reveal traceable personal information?
A user was asking a sensitive question. There were comments saying "change your username and picture". I went and traced his picture and name and arrived at a website with their resume (no address ...
- 159
6
votes
0
answers
453
views
Is embedding arbitrary external images GDPR compliant?
Currently, SE allows user to embed arbitrary images (from HTTPS sources) into posts and into comments in chat. The consequence of this is that whoever controls the server those images are hosted on ...
- 189k
34
votes
1
answer
901
views
To refuse arbitration, give us your name and address
To opt out of mandatory arbitration and retain the right to participate in a class action, the terms of service state:
Your written notification must be mailed to us at Stack Overflow, Attn: Legal ...
9
votes
1
answer
754
views
Will Stack Exchange respect EU's "right to be forgotten"?
If a citizen of EU would request all his questions and answers to be deleted from all Stack Exchange sites, would that request be carried out?
I'm not just talking about account deletion, where ...
- 279
-19
votes
3
answers
320
views
How should I request an embargo on access of my personal data by moderators?
I would like to request an embargo on access of my personal information collected by Stack Exchange. This embargo should relate to newly elected moderators of the Academia Stack Exchange site.
As far ...
- 113
-15
votes
3
answers
240
views
Why do Stack Exchange staff use their real names?
I was wondering why Stack Exchange staff use their real names, e.g. the community managers, Rob, Tim, and Shog (if he replies to an email). Shouldn't the same safety / privacy considerations be the ...
-19
votes
3
answers
279
views
Do all of the Stack Exchange staff have access to a user's information?
When a user of Stack Exchange runs into trouble, e.g. gets into an argument with another user or moderator and incurs a suspension, I understand that volunteer diamond moderators and some Stack ...
5
votes
1
answer
119
views
Potential privacy breach due to question rate limit from IP addresses
I initially asked this question here, in Bitcoin Meta because I faced this problem originally in Bitcoin SE. I decided to ask this question here due to the very little attention it received there and ...
- 189
300
votes
8
answers
21k
views
Why we don't keep public records of suspensions
Whenever the topic of a suspended user crops up, there's often confusion about what information moderators ought to share and what they should keep private. Sometimes moderators are just as unsure as ...
- 79.8k
9
votes
2
answers
157
views
Which are the changes to ensure the Privacy Shield?
There has been a recent announcement of the new privacy policy. However I would like to know what has been done to ensure the privacy respect to the previous setting.
If the NSA or CIA or any other ...
- 861
91
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Stack Exchange Privacy Policy Update
As you all know, once in a while we have to update our Privacy Policy. Now is one of those times.
Here's what's different with today's update:
Safe Harbor has been replaced by the EU-US Privacy ...
- 160k
-7
votes
2
answers
225
views
"this user prefers to keep an air of mystery about them" - can this wording be changed?
I'm posting this question anonymously for obvious reasons. It should be on meta, but I can't post there anonymously. It would be great if someone would move it there.
The new head of the Department ...
Anonymous
23
votes
1
answer
294
views
How did TIBCO / Marketo obtain my Stack Exchange profile e-mail address for spamming?
My Stack Exchange profile has a specific e-mail address that I use on no other Internet site, and should be unguessable. My Developer Story is set to private. My profile has an uploaded image, not ...
- 12.5k
15
votes
0
answers
271
views
Stack Exchange should review and document their data retention policies
Recently, Stack Overflow posted a blog post about their Providence system (see also a 2015 blog post by Kevin Montrose about this same subject). This is related to the Personalized Prediction Data.
It ...
- 55.4k
11
votes
2
answers
140
views
How should we deal with questions that seek to identify deleted users?
It’s happened occasionally that a new user will wonder about the identity of a deleted user, whether, on the main meta or on a per-site meta (or indeed on one of the non-meta sites). Often such ...
- 968
42
votes
2
answers
389
views
Is this data broker violating SE terms of service?
Recently SE amended its terms of use to prevent automatic scraping of site information by third parties for information brokering (at least, that's what I gathered from it).
I just read about a new ...
- 25.6k